Bowling Green State University
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
BGSU Downs Central Michigan 189.325-187.950
January 21, 2006 | Gymnastics
Jan. 21, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University Falcons opened their Mid-American Conference season with a 189.325 - 187.950 win over regular season conference champions Central Michigan University.
The Falcons led the whole meet, and after a bit of a struggle on beam, finished strong on the floor exercise. The Falcons were led by senior co-captain Jessica Guyer, who finished third on vault, second on beam, and first on floor.
"Jessica is the real thing, she is competing with a stress fracture in her back and still performing. When you have someone like that it raises the quality of everyone else around her. She is a great leader and that was shown tonight," said head coach Dan Connelly.
Jillian Stranges (9.700) started the opening event, the vault, with a great routine and landing by recording a new personal best. Guyer (9.700) tied Stranges for third, as the Orange and Brown took an early 48.000-46.725 lead.
The Falcons were led on the bars by sophomore Jholeen Ponce (9.675) who tied the Chippewas' Jules Passy for first place. Sakura Tomita (9.600), Candice Deacon (9.525) and Jessica Bradley (9.425) would round out the Top Five.
The beam would be the embodiment of the Falcons driven desire to win. After four BGSU gymnasts suffered wobbly routines, Guyer and junior Bethany Kenel stepped up big for the Orange and Brown. Guyer posted a 9.700 to tie for second, while Kenel landed a 9.825 to take first in addition to tying her personal best.
Heading into the last event BGSU was up by one tenth of a point. Guyer would again lead the Falcons with a score of 9.725 and another first place finish. Stranges (9.675), Jacquelyn Bernhardt (9.525), and Deacon (9.475) would round up the top five and secure the win for the Falcons.
"This was only the second time in my 10 year career that we have beaten Central," said Connelly. "I thought we did a great job on the first two events and all the girls did a very nice job for us tonight."
Up next for BGSU is a home meet with Illinois State on Saturday January 28 at 7:p.m.
